Why so many Tornado mid-airs in its early years?
Of the first twenty-four GR Tornado losses 9 were as a result of mid-air collisions. That is a surprising 37.5%! I am not aware of any other post-war fast-jet type experiencing such a statistic.
Why was this? Was it pre-occupation with the new 'toys' (HUD/moving map etc) that, ironically kept heads inside the cockpit instead of outside? I, personally, found that the positioning of the thick canopy arch in the front cockpit didn't help as it obscured the all-important 11 o'clock/1 o'clock sectors so one had to make a conscious effort to scan round it.
Is anyone aware of any other factors that might have led to this propensity to hit/be hit by other aircraft?